A Bible study on what is sin (parts 1 and 2)

    The Bible tells us, we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. When we die, our eternal destiny is sealed. God’s mercy does not extend beyond the grave. Because of sin, we are eternally separated from God. We are eternally lost. God has provided a way to escape this death sentence. All sin must be paid for, so God sent His only begotten Son to pay the price for your sins, to pay your sentence of death. Jesus died a horrible death on the cross. He was marred worse than any man. They plucked out His beard. They tortured Him, whipped Him, spit on Him, and mocked Him. Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, suffered this torment for you, to redeem you, to purchase you, so that you might have life and have it more abundantly.
   To receive God’s forgiveness, you must be willing to trust in Jesus Christ as your only hope of salvation. This is done by faith. You receive God’s forgiveness through faith. You must be willing to turn from all sin (repent) and obey the Gospel. In this message, I wish to examine the following items: what is sin, what is repentance, how do we trust in Jesus, how are we redeemed, and one method Satan uses to deceive us.
   In today’s churches, the fear of God is seldom preached, yet fear is mentioned in the Bible about 396 times. We are not to fear what man can do to us, but we are to fear God. Pv 14:2 tells us, HE THAT WALKETH IN HIS UPRIGHTNESS FEARETH THE LORD. Jesus spoke these words in Mt 10:28-FEAR NOT THEM WHICH KILL THE BODY, BUT ARE NOT ABLE TO KILL THE SOUL: BUT RATHER FEAR HIM WHICH IS ABLE TO DESTROY BOTH BODY SOUL AND BODY IN HELL. God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power. We are to trust in Jesus. We are to fear no man or circumstances. We love God with all our heart. The Scriptures tell us to fear the Lord and depart from evil. Therefore, Satan will attempt to tell you not to fear God and His judgments. We recall when we are approaching a traffic light, we do not go through the red light for fear that we will get a ticket. It is not our love for the police officer that stops us from going through a red light, but rather fearing that we will get caught. We may be speeding down a highway. We know it is wrong, yet we do it. All of a sudden, we see a police officer parked along the side of the highway. So what do we do? Immediately, we get a bit scared, and may look to our speedometer and slow down. Why? Because we are afraid we will get a ticket. If the police officer comes after us with his siren going, what emotion do we feel? Is it not fear that we will get a ticket, with perhaps even further consequences, such as we may have to go to court? Do we slow down because we love the police officer or because we are afraid? Likewise, we are to fear the Lord and depart from evil.
   So we may ask, "How does Satan work to stop us from fearing God?" Let us look at Gen. 3:1. Satan first caused doubt in Eve’s mind about what God had said, by saying the words, YEA, HATH GOD SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN? Note: Satan did not say eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He said, EAT OF EVERY TREE. Then Satan goes on to counter God’s command by saying in verse 4-YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE. He contradicts God’s words. In doing so, he eliminates the one thing that could prevent Eve from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan tells Eve, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE. In doing this, he eliminated the fear of God’s judgment. God had warned not to eat of the tree of the KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL-Gen 2:17. God gave further warning of what the consequences of disobedience would be. The sentence or judgment for disobedience would be Gen 2:17-FOR IN THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST THEREOF THOU SHALT SURELY DIE. Therefore, they were afraid to disobey God, for surely they did not want to die. Thus, Satan realized he must eliminate the fear of God’s judgment. Satan must eliminate from Adam and Eve, their fear of God, and what He would do. He accomplished this by saying, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE. By creating doubt, the clarity of God’s warning and the fear of God’s judgment was eliminated. After further being tempted by Satan, Eve chose to believe Satan’s lies. She went forth without fearing God, and did sin. She may willingly have chosen to believe the devil’s word over God’s Word, because her heart wanted to eat of the fruit after she was tempted.
   Satan has also accomplished the same in many churches today. Many preach the love of God, but only a few preach the fear of God as the Scriptures teach. Know this, Heb 9:27-IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT. Satan is cunning beyond all of your expectations. For this reason, we do not go by feelings, but rather, we are to live by the "Word of God".
   Dr. Karl Menninger asked the question, "Whatever became of sin?" An outstanding prison reformer and psychiatrist, he states, "Almost no one talks about it (sin) anymore. We don’t talk about sin on weekdays, and we hear about it only a few minutes on Sunday, if at all." A minister in England declared the Ten Commandments were not applicable for today. He ordered their discontinuance from his services. But the Bible says, BY THE LAW IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN-Ro 3:20. An old-fashioned, Methodist preacher did not beat around the bush when preaching on sin. He called it the abominable thing that God hates. Later, one of his members came to him saying, "We don’t like you to talk so plainly about sin." Replied the preacher as he picked up a bottle of strychnine clearly marked with a skull and crossbones, "Suppose I take off this label of poison and put on some mild label such as essence of peppermint? Don’t you see what happens? The milder you make the label, the more dangerous you make the poison." As a physician does not prescribe an aspirin for cancer, but may order immediate surgery, so it is with sin. Sin must be removed, blotted out, forgiven! And that is the reason for which Jesus came. He came to save sinners. He died for our sins that we might be forgiven. In 1Jn 1:7 we read, THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN. The Bible says, BE NOT DECEIVED. Sin offers pleasure, but produces death. Sin corrupts man’s nature, perverts his tastes, weakens his will, and sears his conscience.
   Perhaps our difficulty today is not recognizing what sin is. Here are some scriptural definitions.
   1. Pv 24:9-THE THOUGHT OF FOOLISHNESS IS SIN. How much time do we spend in needless jesting and joking? Paul writing to the Ephesian Christians reminds them on account of FOOLISH TALKING…AND JESTING...COMETH THE WRATH OF GOD UPON THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE-Eph 5:4,6. Certainly, we are not to be long-faced. There is joy in serving the Lord. Nevertheless, we are reminded, THE THOUGHT OF FOOLISHNESS IS SIN.
   2. In 1 Jn 5:17 we read, ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS SIN. There should not be any confusion as to what is wrong. Lying, cheating, stealing, murder, adultery, fornication, etc., are all sins.
   3. In Ro 14:23 we read, WHATSOEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN. In other words, we should believe that what we are doing is right and conforms to the principles of God’s Word. Hypocrisy is sin. Withholding the truth is sin. Martin Luther once said, "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God, except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. In other words, it is a form of denying Christ.
   4. Another definition is found in Ja 2:9, IF YE HAVE RESPECT TO PERSONS, YE COMMIT SIN. The Gospel knows no color boundaries, no race distinctions, no social levels, and no denominational barriers when a person is truly born-again; for we are one in Christ.
   5. Again, James declares, THEREFORE TO HIM THAT KNOWETH TO DO GOOD, AND DOETH IT NOT, TO HIM IT IS SIN-Ja 4:17. To receive Christ, is life’s greatest decision. Whereas to refuse Christ, is to spend eternity in the lake of fire. What should you be doing that you are not doing, but are being convicted of by the Holy Spirit? Could it be reading your Bible more, having family devotions, praying more, visiting the sick and shut-ins, witnessing to the lost, giving to the ministries in need of your help? Sin is not only doing the "wrong things", but it is also failing to do the right things. As we understand, Charles H. Spurgeon, perhaps the most famous preacher of the 19^th century, was the guest of a man who always boasted of things he did not do. Finally, disgusted with the man’s self-righteousness, Spurgeon could stand it no longer, and replied, "Why man, you are simply a bundle of negatives. You don’t drink! You don’t gamble! You don’t swear! What in the name of goodness do you do?"
   6. Another definition for sin is found in 1 Jn 3:4, which reminds us that, SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW. To drive 70 miles per hour when the speed limit is 55 is transgression of the law. The word transgression means to "go beyond a mark". Adam and Eve transgressed when they violated God’s commandment.
   With these Bible definitions of sin, we are reminded of the truth of Ro 3:23, FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. That makes us all sinners in need of salvation. Picture a deep chasm several feet across. There are those seen jumping, in an effort to get to the other side, but they plunge to their death below. Then a bridge is built, so all can travel across the chasm safely. In like manner, Christ is the Bridge. Though ALL HAVE SINNED, we read HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM-2 Cor 5:21. What sacrifice He made to atone for your sins and mine. As a certain songwriter put it, "O the love that drew salvation’s plan; O the grace that brought it down to man: O the mighty gulf that God did span, at Calvary!"
   But that is not the end of the story. We are not only forgiven, we are set free! IF THE SON THEREFORE SHALL MAKE YOU FREE, YE SHALL BE FREE INDEED-Jn 8:36. Again, THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH-Ro 8:2.
   Is this what you want? Do you want to be set free from the law of sin, which has an ugly hold upon you as the fangs of a snake, or the teeth of a lion? Then realize our Lord triumphed over Satan (Lucifer), the subtle serpent, who also walketh about as a roaring lion. He is victorious over every foe. In "HIM", you are victorious, too. Are you a slave to an ideology or slave to a system? Unless a man turns his life over to Jesus Christ, he will always be a slave: a slave to his own lust and passion, a slave to sin and Satan. I ask you for the sake of your eternal welfare, where will you spend eternity? For your soul’s sake, surrender all to Jesus Christ.

    It is disobedience to God. It is disobeying His Word. Sin is ultimately against God. It is doing things that we are not to do, and it is not doing things that we should do. It is not having a Christ-like attitude and not doing what Christ would do in every situation. It is speaking things that we ought not to speak, and it is not speaking things that we ought to speak. Sin is being stiff-necked, stubborn, and rebellious to correction from God’s Word. Sin is wrong response to God’s divine standards. It is rebelling against, falling short, or deviating from the ways that God has established; as it is written, Isa 30:21-THIS IS THE WAY, WALK YE IN IT. Sin is turning to the left or to the right-ref Deut 5:32, when God says to walk straight ahead or turn around. Sin is not walking IN ALL THE WAYS WHICH THE LORD GOD HATH COMMANDED YOU-ref Deut 5:33. Sin is not walking in the newness of life, not living and yielding unto God, and not obeying God from the heart. Sin is not yielding your bodies servants to righteousness unto holiness. Sin is not bringing forth fruit unto God or being conformed to the image of His Son. Sin is walking after the flesh and after self. Sin is not being ashamed of your past fruits or deeds-ref Ro 6. It is missing God’s mark but even more.
   When a person follows self, they (or what the Bible calls the old man) is the center of their own universe. When a person follows Jesus, Jesus becomes the center of their universe.
   Man’s very nature wants to deny what sin is. Some men’s consciences are so corrupt that it is as if they are seared with a hot iron. They can do the most hideous acts and yet wipe their mouth and say, "I’ve done no wrong." They feel no shame or guilt no matter what they do. Man’s corrupt thinking wants to deny he does or did wrong. He wants to accuse and point fingers at others and justify himself. Man’s very nature from birth is wicked from the fall of Adam. People’s very nature is wrapped up in self, not in God. A child does not have to be taught to lie and disobey his parents. It is natural. Rather a child needs to be taught to be truthful and obey his parents. Which keeps a child in check? Is it because he loves his parents or is it the fear of being spanked? It is by the fear of God that men depart from evil-ref Pv 16:6, not by the love of God. Those people that do not fear God as they ought or refuse to believe it is God that chastens them when they do wrong, often continue to do wrong. As it is written, THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES-Ro 1:18. Not only do people sin against God’s Word, but they usually think nothing about breaking some of their own laws. For example, do people consider it wrong to break the speed limit, run red lights, or not come to a complete stop at stop signs? Does man consider it wrong to curse God’s name or listen to others doing it, even in the movies or on television? Do most people consider it wrong to lie in every situation or just in some situations? Man is so corrupt in his thinking that he says he believes in God, and he believes that God cannot lie, yet he refuses to believe all that God said in His Word. Many claim they believe in God but do not believe that God created all things. They choose to believe in the lie of evolution and many other such things contrary to the Bible. Man does and chooses to believe that which is right in his own eyes, and then he justifies it even when God’s Word tell him he is wrong. It is written, Jere 17:9-THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, AND DESPERATELY WICKED: WHO CAN KNOW IT? Ro 3:23-FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. Ro 3:10-THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE. ISA 64:6-WE ARE ALL AS AN UNCLEAN THING, AND ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES ARE AS FILTHY RAGS; AND WE ALL DO FADE AS A LEAF; AND OUR INIQUITIES, LIKE THE WIND, HAVE TAKEN US AWAY.
   Mankind by nature is spiritually dead. People are by nature the servants or slaves of sin and of their own lusts and warped desires. All need redemption. All need to repent. All need to acknowledge their sin, confess their sins, deny self and surrender their will to God’s will. All need Jesus for without Jesus, only eternal damnation lies ahead. Jesus came to save His people from their sins. Few people in a lukewarm, financially prosperous, comfort-seeking, and pleasure-filled society will do this. Few will give up and forsake all now in order to obtain eternity with Jesus later. Many use the Satan motivated sayings, "These Scriptures do not really mean what they say," or "That's your interpretation, and it's wrong."
   It is written Mt 7:20-WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM. A mature believer is to be known by their Christ-like attitude and overcoming sin in their daily lives. A mature believer is known by his humble, childlike, no excuse, no self-justification, and repentant attitude toward all correction from God, from His Word, from those He speaks through, including His servants that He has ordained to be over us. The more a person understands God, the more broken and humble he becomes. The closer a person gets to God, the more sinful he can see himself when viewed in light of God’s Word and God’s holiness, even as clean white clothes look good in a dim light, but when viewed in a bright light, one can see all the dirt. The lukewarm, Laodicean church of today has a very dim light indeed when looking at sin. The more sinful a person sees himself, the more he loves God as he understands the wonderful merciful, loving kindness of God called "grace," which came as a result of the horrible sacrifice but glorious resurrection of Jesus.
   Jesus came to save people from their sins. A person must put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation. It must be the Jesus Christ of the Bible, not another Christ. A person must repent. After a person comes to Christ in trust and repentance, then he is commanded to be baptized as it is written. He is born-again and no longer comes under the law of sin and of death, but now comes under the law of liberty. The person receives God’s Spirit by faith-ref Gal 3:2 to help him overcome sin.

    I finally heard a "St. Peter at the Pearly Gates" story worth repeating. This had to do with a rather learned and pious minister of a large church.
   The good pastor was quite confident as he approached Peter, seeking entrance into heaven. "I’m sure you heard of me," he told the apostle. "I’ve occupied a very important pulpit for the past forty years and sent quite a few people your way. I imagine my good works have been noticed up here, and now I’d like to come in."
   "Actually, we haven’t heard of you," Peter replied, "but we have a point system in heaven in order to be fair to everyone. Perhaps, you could outline your career in the ministry for me, and I’ll give you the appropriate score for each of your actions."
   The pastor was very cooperative. For the next hour or so, he related to the patient Peter, work after good work, especially emphasizing his unblemished character and his forgiving nature. At the end of it all, Peter was duly impressed. At length, he told the minister, that he would award him a "10".
   "Does this mean I can go into heaven now?" "Not at all," said Peter. "You need 100 points." The church man was aghast. "Are you kidding?" he exclaimed. "I spent my whole life in the service of the Gospel, and you’re giving me a measly 10 points!"
   Peter said, "Can you offer me anything more that we might credit for you?" Well, as the day wore on the minister kept digging around for every conceivable good service he had ever done for the Lord, his church, his community, his denomination, etc., etc. The hour grew late. The pastor’s jacket was thrown over a chair, and his tie was loosened. Perspiring, he finally looked up at Peter piteously, and said, "Dear apostle, surely there is mercy in heaven. How many points do I have now?" "Twenty points," Peter told him. "Oh, I just don’t understand this!" exclaimed the pastor, who was extremely frustrated. "Where will I ever get the 80 more points? If it weren’t for the grace of God, nobody would ever get into this place!"
   "That’s 80," replied Peter calmly. "Go on in."
   Our grateful appreciation to Zola Levitt for the preceding article.
   Acts 2:38 tells us, REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU. Have you obeyed this command? Have you committed your life to Jesus Christ, or to a church or denomination? Jesus is calling. Sinner come home.

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SIN—ADAM AND EVE Pt 2
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Every person has sinned. As it is written, FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD-Ro 3:23.
Sin began in the Garden of Eden.

AND THE LORD GOD PLANTED A GARDEN EASTWARD IN EDEN; AND THERE HE PUT THE MAN WHOM HE HAD FORMED-Gen 2:8. AND THE LORD GOD TOOK THE MAN, AND PUT HIM INTO THE GARDEN OF EDEN TO DRESS IT AND TO KEEP IT. Note, that the Lord put Adam where He wanted him to be, and gave him work to do (to work it and take care of it). AND THE LORD GOD COMMANDED THE MAN, SAYING, OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN THOU MAYEST FREELY EAT: BUT OF THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT: FOR IN THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST THEREOF THOU SHALT SURELY DIE-Gen 2:15-17. Adam could eat of every tree, except one. God had given Adam a command. Sin is disobeying God’s commandments. God also warned Adam of the consequences of disobeying His command. The penalty for disobedience was death. Adam’s obedience was going to be tested. We are to fear God-ref Lk 12:5. For it is written, BY THE FEAR OF THE LORD MEN DEPART FROM EVIL-Pv 16:6. We need to understand that THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH-Ro 6:23. We surmise that Adam feared God and His judgment. Adam had the choice of believing God’s Word or not believing it. Note that Adam had fellowship with God. No sin separated him from God.

THE LORD GOD SAID, "IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE MAN TO BE ALONE. I WILL MAKE A HELPER SUITABLE FOR HIM." SO THE LORD GOD CAUSED THE MAN TO FALL INTO A DEEP SLEEP; AND...HE TOOK ONE OF THE MAN’S RIBS AND CLOSED UP THE PLACE WITH FLESH. THEN THE LORD GOD MADE A WOMAN FROM THE RIB HE HAD TAKEN OUT OF THE MAN, AND HE BROUGHT HER TO THE MAN-Gen 2:18,21,22 NIV. SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE...MALE AND FEMALE CREATED HE THEM-Gen 1:27. HE...CALLED THEIR NAME ADAM, IN THE DAY WHEN THEY WERE CREATED-Gen 5:2. AND GOD BLESSED THEM, AND GOD SAID UNTO THEM, BE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY, AND REPLENISH THE EARTH-Gen 1:28. THE MAN AND HIS WIFE WERE BOTH NAKED, AND THEY FELT NO SHAME-Gen 2:25 NIV. The first marriage was instituted by God.

    As we examine how Satan deceived Eve, let us be mindful that he uses many of these same devices on us today. He speaks to us in our thoughts, through other people, through situations, through our flesh and emotions, and through unexpected ways to cause us to do contrary to what God would have us do. He lies to us. Sometimes he mixes the truth with lies. He stirs up our emotions. He uses our anger, bitterness, fears, jealousy, envy, love, and even good intentions to persuade us to do contrary to God's will. He uses temptations, persecutions, and threats. He uses the pleasures of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, the lusts of other things, and cares of this world. He uses things that our heart desires. He uses our ambitions to get ahead, and prosper, and to get more things. He uses our desire to be someone special. He makes us think we are doing what God wants us to do, when in reality, we are disobeying God. He causes many to believe the Bible is not true, and others to believe the Bible does not mean what it really says. He causes many to believe he does not exist. He causes others to greatly underestimate his powers of deception. Because of Satan's lies, we become confused, and the Word of God becomes twisted in our minds. He uses Scripture in our thoughts in such a way, that we become deceived. He causes us not to hate sin and every evil way. He causes us to think we will never have to face the judgment of God. He causes us to think we will go to heaven, when in reality, we are on our way to hell. He causes us to examine ourselves and our relationship to God by emotions, rather than by the truth of the Gospel. He causes us to have many distractions when we open our Bible to read and to study. He may send people to us who look like true Christians, but they are in reality, wolves in sheep’s clothing. And if God sends someone to us, Satan puts in our thoughts reasons to cause us to believe the person is not from God at all. Satan causes us to think the thoughts we are having, which cause us to sin, are really our own thoughts. Other times, he causes us to think the thoughts we are having are from God, when they are really from Satan.
   He causes us to think the ministers of God are really false ministers, and the false ministers are really ministers of God. As it is written, FOR SUCH ARE FALSE APOSTLES, DECEITFUL WORKERS, TRANSFORMING THEMSELVES INTO THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST. AND NO MARVEL; FOR SATAN HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT. THEREFORE IT IS NO GREAT THING IF HIS MINISTERS ALSO BE TRANSFORMED AS THE MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS-2 Cor 11:13-15.
   Satan is a master of deception. As it is written, THAT OLD SERPENT, CALLED THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, WHICH DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD-Rev 12:9. Satan is also called the accuser-Rev 12:10.
   In Ezekiel chapter 28, we see some references pertaining to Satan. In verse 12, we see the words, FULL OF WISDOM, AND PERFECT IN BEAUTY. In verse 13, THOU HAST BEEN IN EDEN THE GARDEN OF GOD. Verse 13 also shows us, he was CREATED. Verse 17 tells us, THINE HEART WAS LIFTED UP BECAUSE OF THY BEAUTY, THOU HAST CORRUPTED THY WISDOM BY REASON OF THY BRIGHTNESS. Isa 14:12-14 gives us additional information, O LUCIFER, SON OF THE MORNING!...THOU HAST SAID IN THINE HEART…I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD…I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH. Thus, we note that the serpent, was FULL OF WISDOM, and PERFECT IN BEAUTY, and had much BRIGHTNESS. Most people greatly underestimate Satan’s ability to deceive.
   NOW THE SERPENT (which is also called Satan, the Devil, and Lucifer) WAS MORE SUBTIL (or crafty) THAN ANY BEAST (or wild animal) OF THE FIELD WHICH THE LORD GOD HAD MADE. AND HE SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YEA, HATH GOD SAID (or did God really say), YE SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN?-Gen 3:1. The serpent, which is also called Satan, now begins a process of causing Eve to be confused, deceived, to doubt what God had said, and, ultimately, to cause her to disobey God’s command. You and I hear that same voice today in our thoughts. Also note, that the serpent did not use God’s words in this case, but rather used an evasive, deceptive approach, by saying, "HATH GOD SAID" and then using the words, "YE SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN?" As the serpent spoke, he did not call God, Lord God (or Jehovah God), but addressed him only as God, perhaps trying to belittle Jehovah God. From the first three words, "HATH GOD SAID," it can be seen that the serpent is an enemy of God. He is attempting to bring doubt about the Word of God. He is challenging God’s Word. He begins with a question to open the conversation. It is as if he wants to know something, but it is really the beginning of a deception. It is intended to cause doubt in the woman’s mind. God is not the author of confusion, but Satan is-ref l Cor 14:33. Thus, we have the beginning of the serpent’s attack in causing the woman to doubt, to be confused, and to be deceived. Eve did not understand the great deceptive and crafty ways of the devil. She underestimated the devil, as people also do today. The woman should have turned away, but she did not. She chose to enter into dialogue with the serpent. That dialogue proved to be a great mistake. She did not realize that the devil was her enemy. The serpent also seems to be implying that God is too demanding and overbearing, and He does not really love the woman, because she could eat of every tree, except one. Surely, if God really loved her, He would give her everything she wanted.
   AND THE WOMAN SAID UNTO THE SERPENT, WE MAY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREES OF THE GARDEN: BUT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE GARDEN, GOD HATH SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF IT, NEITHER SHALL YE TOUCH IT, LEST YE DIE-Gen 3:2,3. Note confusion, as to what God had said, seems to be setting in. In her thoughts, she must have begun to question God’s Word. Eve had said certain words which God had not said, such as, NEITHER SHALL YE TOUCH IT. Her response to the serpent was a general impression of what she believed God had said, rather than God’s exact words. It may also be noted that she said, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF IT,...LEST YE DIE. God had said, THOU SHALT SURELY DIE. Her reply, LEST YE DIE, does not seem to carry the force that God’s Word had carried. Her way of replying may indicate that her belief and trust in God and His Word was like a wave; however, she did fear God’s judgment. Thus, if Satan is to be successful in causing her to disobey God, he needs to eliminate the fear of God’s judgment, which is death. Satan had won the first round.
   AND THE SERPENT SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE-Gen 3:4. God had said, THOU SHALT SURELY DIE. Surely, God would not cause her to die, for simply eating of the fruit of one particular tree. Satan’s words, YE SHALL NOT, carries with it a certain amount of force. Satan is directly contradicting God’s Word and undermining the concept of God’s absolute authority. Satan is scoffing God’s authority. He seems to be suggesting that the woman is confined by her position of believing and trusting in God’s Word. "YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE", is the same lie that he puts in our thoughts today. Satan puts in our thoughts that we will not perish, and that hell is only for bad people. He puts in our thoughts that we are a pretty good person, and therefore, God will surely let us into heaven. Satan may tell us that there is no such place as hell, or the lake of fire; and if there was, surely, a good, loving, and merciful God would never send us there. Satan may tell us that the idea of eternal punishment is just not true. The devil may tell us that it is all right to disobey God. It is all right to sin. It is all right to live any way we want. The devil may tell us we do not have to repent of all sin. We do not need to read the Bible. We do not need to hear and obey the Gospel. We do not need to go to church. Satan may tell us in our thoughts that we will never have to give an account for our sin. We will never have to face the judgment of a Holy God. We do not have to worry. God will never let us perish to the lake of fire. Through this, she must have begun to question God’s Word.
   Here is the conflict. It is between the truth of God’s Word, and the lies Satan puts in our thoughts. It is between the truth of God’s Word, and our emotions. It is between the truth of God’s Word, and our fleshly desires. We are in a battle between the TRUTH of God’s Word, and the lies of the devil. There is a battle going on in our thoughts between the truth of God’s Word, and the traditions of men, pastors, churches, denominations, and our own wrong thinking. Satan is a master at confusing us, deceiving us, and causing us to doubt. It is written, THE DEVIL...IS A LIAR, AND THE FATHER OF IT-Jn 8:44. In telling the woman that YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE, the serpent is also insinuating that God lied to her.
   The serpent had first planted doubt and confusion in the woman’s mind. Now, by directly contradicting God’s Word of truth, he was attempting to remove the fear of God’s judgment, which was, THOU SHALT SURELY DIE. The woman was going to have to choose which voice she would believe. She was going to have to choose whether she would put her faith in the words of the Lord God, or put her faith in the words of the serpent. We are faced with this same choice. Will we put our faith in the Word of God (the Bible), or will we put our faith in the wrong thoughts we have in our mind, or hear from blind teachers or other people? If the woman chooses to believe the serpent’s words, rather than God’s Word, he will have succeeded. Thus, the serpent realized he needed to do more, than just contradict God’s Word. He had to persuade the woman in other ways also.
   Next the serpent will attempt to explain to her why God lied. Satan is also called the ACCUSER-ref Rev 12:10. He accuses the brethren, and he accuses God. The serpent then said, FOR GOD DOTH KNOW THAT IN THE DAY YE EAT THEREOF, THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED, AND YE SHALL BE AS GODS, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL-Gen 3:5. Note Satan’s words, FOR GOD DOTH KNOW. This gives the impression that it is all right in the eyes of God, and that God misled her for these reasons.
   Satan then told her, THAT IN THE DAY YE EAT THEREOF. It appears the serpent is trying to cause her to disobey God sooner, rather than later.
   Then he continued by saying, THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED. The serpent is arousing her curiosity. He is tempting her by trying to make her believe there is something very good and special that will happen to her if she would just eat of the fruit, and disobey God. She must have wondered what it might mean that her eyes would be opened.
   Then Satan continued with the words, AND YE SHALL BE AS GODS. What a wonderful promise the serpent was giving her, YE SHALL BE AS GODS. To be a god is to be able to do whatever you want, and to give account to no one. To be a god is to be something special, to control your own destiny, and certainly it is something many people want today. It is a form of preaching that abounds today in many churches.
   Then the serpent adds these words, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL. Satan was telling the woman that the path to knowledge is to bypass God’s Word. The woman must have wondered, "What is good and evil?" Indeed, if she would disobey God and do as the devil was tempting her to do, she would know and understand GOOD AND EVIL. She would also die, even though Satan had assured her that she would not die. Satan’s very clever and deceitful words which were filled with half truths and lies, were having an effect on the woman. The fear of God’s judgment had been eliminated. Now she was being tempted with things that could be greatly desired. She must have wondered since God knew all this anyway, "Surely, it must be all right."
   The serpent had used only about 46 words which changed the history of the world. Do not underestimate your enemy, the devil. Satan knows just what thoughts to put in our mind to tempt us. These thoughts are just what our heart wants to hear. It is written, SATAN! YOU...HAVE IN MIND...THE THINGS OF MEN-Mt 16:23 NIV.
   Now the lusts of the flesh come into play. Food can be a great temptation. The lusts and desires of the flesh and of our eyes can be a great temptation. Also, if we believe there is nothing wrong with doing something, then why not do it? Satan may tell us in our thoughts, "If it feels all right, then it must be all right."
   AND WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT THE TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD, AND THAT IT WAS PLEASANT (or pleasing) TO THE EYES, AND A TREE TO BE DESIRED TO MAKE ONE WISE (or desirable for gaining wisdom)-Gen 3:6. The verse said,
   item one-THE WOMAN SAW…
   item two-THAT IT WAS PLEASANT (or pleasing) TO THE EYES. The lusts of the eyes began to prompt her to sin. Sight can be a pathway to lead us to sin.
   item three-She saw that the TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD. The lusts of the flesh begin to prompt her to disobey God. Food can be a pathway to lead us to sin. Satan tempted Jesus regarding food.
   item four She saw that the tree was TO BE DESIRED.
   item five-TO MAKE ONE WISE.
   Desire can lead to covetousness which is sin. The idea that we can’t have something may make us to want it even more. The woman’s fleshly desires must have elevated. Her ungodly desires were prompting her to sin. She began to desire and covet the fruit. God’s Word warns us about being covetous. Indeed, the eyes of man never seem to be satisfied-ref Pv 27:20. She had the magnificent Garden of Eden to dwell in. She could eat of every tree of the garden, but it wasn’t enough. She did not seem to be thankful for all that she had. She wanted more. We might consider, Ro 1:21,24-BECAUSE THAT, WHEN THEY KNEW GOD, THEY GLORIFIED HIM NOT AS GOD, NEITHER WERE THANKFUL; BUT BECAME VAIN (or futile) IN THEIR IMAGINATIONS (or thinking), AND THEIR FOOLISH HEART WAS DARKENED. The serpent caused her to look at what she did not have, rather than what she did have.
   The fear of God’s judgment had been eliminated. She was no longer afraid of the judgment of death. She also realized that there should be great benefits in eating this particular fruit. As it might be said by the devil, "There is nothing to lose, and everything to gain." It is written: THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH-Pv 14:12. It seemed right to the woman to eat of the fruit.
   It may be that the woman was now so stirred up about eating the forbidden fruit, that she ran to the tree to eat. So the woman, SHE TOOK OF THE FRUIT THEREOF, AND DID EAT-Gen 3:6. SHE TOOK. SHE...DID EAT. The woman: she saw, she desired, she took, and then she ate. The woman had sinned. She had disobeyed God. AND ADAM WAS NOT DECEIVED, BUT THE WOMAN BEING DECEIVED WAS IN THE TRANSGRESSION-l Tim 2:14. Yet at this point, she did not yet seem to be conscious that she had done wrong.

She now wants her husband to share in what she considered to be her good fortune, but was really a wicked sin. Many times we may do something wrong, and then we want to get other people involved also. We want other people to see it "our" way. AND (she) GAVE ALSO UNTO HER HUSBAND WITH HER; AND HE DID EAT-Gen 3:6. Adam had become the follower of his wife, rather than a follower of the Lord God. Adam, who was the leader, became the follower of the woman. It seemed right to Adam to follow his wife’s word, rather than God’s Word.
Sin had now entered into the world. Adam (the man) from which the blood line comes, had sinned. WHEREFORE, AS BY ONE MAN SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND DEATH BY SIN; AND SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED-Ro 5:12. THEREFORE AS BY THE OFFENSE OF ONE JUDGMENT CAME UPON ALL MEN TO CONDEMNATION...FOR AS BY ONE MAN’S DISOBEDIENCE MANY WERE MADE SINNERS-Ro 5:18,19.

    The work of the devil is to cause us to sin. Sin desires to reign over us. Satan desires to rule over us. As it is written, SIN IS CROUCHING AT YOUR DOOR; IT DESIRES TO HAVE YOU-Gen 4:7 NIV. FOR A MAN IS A SLAVE TO WHATEVER HAS MASTERED HIM-2 Pe 2:19 NIV. FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, AND THE SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH: AND THESE ARE CONTRARY THE ONE TO THE OTHER: SO THAT YE CANNOT DO THE THINGS THAT YE WOULD-Gal 5:17. Romans chapter 6 gives us the picture of the person that is not submitted to God.
    They CONTINUE IN SIN-ref verse 1.
    They live in sin-ref verse 2.
    They SERVE SIN-ref verse 6. Sin reigns in their body-ref verse 12.
    They OBEY sin or lusts-ref verse 12.
    They YIELD their MEMBERS (or body) AS INSTRUMENTS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO SIN-ref verse 13.
    Sin has DOMINION OVER them-ref verse 14.
    They YIELD themselves SERVANTS TO OBEY...SIN-ref verse 16.
    They are SERVANTS OF SIN-ref verse 17.
    They yield their MEMBERS (or body) SERVANTS TO UNCLEANNESS-ref verse 19.
    They yield their members (or body) SERVANTS TO...INIQUITY UNTO INIQUITY-ref verse 19.
    The result is death, for THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH- ref verse 23.

    But God’s Word also shows us in Romans chapter 6,
   Do not CONTINUE IN SIN-ref verse l.
   Do not LIVE ANY LONGER in sin-ref verse 2.
   WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN-verse 6.
   Do not let SIN...REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODY-ref verse 12.
   We should not OBEY sin IN THE LUSTS THEREOF-ref verse 12.
   Do not yield your members (or body) AS INSTRUMENTS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO SIN-ref verse 13.
   GOD FORBID that we should SIN-ref verse 15.
   YIELD YOUR MEMBERS SERVANTS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO HOLINESS-verse 19,
   FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH-verse 23.

    AND THE EYES OF THEM BOTH WERE OPENED, AND THEY KNEW THAT THEY WERE NAKED; AND THEY SEWED FIG LEAVES TOGETHER, AND MADE THEMSELVES APRONS (or coverings)-Gen 3:7. Now they realized that God meant what He said, but it was too late. The serpent had very skillfully beguiled, confused, and deceived the woman. He had used a combination of half truths and lies. Satan had told her what her heart wanted to hear. Satan knows how to put in our thoughts just what we want to hear. Then her own desires had overcome her, and she disobeyed God. Then Adam obeyed his wife, rather than God. He also ate of the fruit, and disobeyed God. AND THE EYES OF THEM BOTH WERE OPENED. They now understood good and evil. They now saw things differently than they had before. Soon they would understand judgment and the consequences of sin, FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH-Ro 6:23.
   They now knew good, but were unable to do it. They now knew evil, and were unable to resist it.
   THEY KNEW…THEY WERE NAKED. They now understood things that they did not understand before. Sin makes us naked, and NAKEDNESS is a shame (or shameful)-ref Rev 3:18. They now wanted to cover or hide their shame, their nakedness, their sin.
   THEY SEWED FIG LEAVES TOGETHER, AND MADE THEMSELVES APRONS (coverings). The fig leaves are man’s attempt to save himself by a bloodless religion of good works. Fig leaves cannot cleanse us or wash us from our sins. Fig leaves cannot cover the shame of our nakedness. People often try to hide their sins. It is written, IF I HAVE CONCEALED MY SIN AS MEN DO, BY HIDING MY GUILT IN MY HEART BECAUSE I SO FEARED THE CROWD AND SO DREADED THE CONTEMPT OF THE CLANS THAT I KEPT SILENT AND WOULD NOT GO OUTSIDE-Job 31:33,34 NIV. Many people today attempt to cover their sin and nakedness in a variety ways. They may do this by performing good works, or following a certain denomination. Some may try to cover their shame by preaching in pulpits, or auditoriums, or even on the mission field. Their preaching consists of words and stories of men, with very little of the Word of God. They have TURNED TO MEANINGLESS TALK. THEY WANT TO BE TEACHERS OF THE LAW (or Bible), BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT-ref 1 Tim 1:6,7 NIV. They do not understand that they do not know what they are talking about BECAUSE THE DARKNESS they are walking in HAS BLINDED their eyes--ref l Jn 2:11 NIV. Some try to cover their nakedness by going to church, and singing in the choir, or teaching a Sunday school. What better place to ease the conscience from sin than behind a pulpit, or in a lukewarm church that does not preach on sin, and judgment, and eternal damnation. Some try to cover their nakedness by giving money to their church or charitable organizations, or even getting involved in worldly causes that seem good and right. They may have the praise of men, but they will perish to hell.
   Many people today refuse to admit they sin or do wrong. They do not even know they are naked. Their covering is deceit. Their CONSCIENCES HAVE BEEN SEARED AS WITH A HOT IRON-1 Tim 4:2 NIV. They are like trees walking about without understanding-ref Mk 8:24. They do not understand God’s Word. Adam’s intimate relationship with God was broken. Billions of graves testify that when God said, THOU SHALT SURELY DIE, He meant exactly what He said. Indeed, these graves are proof that God’s Word is true.
   The man and woman covered their nakedness from each other, and then hid from the Lord God. And from that time, even until now, people continue to speak and do evil and hope that no one will find out. They continue to try to hide their evil doings from others and from God.

AND THEY HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LORD GOD WALKING IN THE GARDEN IN THE COOL OF THE DAY: AND ADAM AND HIS WIFE HID THEMSELVES FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD GOD AMONGST THE TREES OF THE GARDEN-Gen 3:8. Shame, fear, and guilt are often a result of sin. Sin perverts our judgment, and deceives us. It is written, SIN...DECEIVED ME, AND...IT SLEW ME-Ro 7:11. Adam did not see the face of God, but rather HEARD THE VOICE OF…GOD. ADAM AND HIS WIFE HID. Often-times, when the light appears, darkness wants to hide. Light exposes darkness. It is written, EVERYONE WHO DOES EVIL….WILL NOT COME INTO THE LIGHT FOR FEAR THAT HIS DEEDS WILL BE EXPOSED-Jn 3:20 NIV.
They were afraid. Adam did not want his nakedness exposed. He did not want his sin exposed. As it is written, IF I COVERED MY TRANSGRESSIONS AS ADAM, BY HIDING MINE INIQUITY IN MY BOSOM (or heart)-Job 31:33. Judgment was about to come upon them, and they did not want to face it. Sin causes us to be more concerned with what happens to us, than the fact that we disobeyed God. Sin can cause us to be more concerned with our appearance and what people think about us, than the fact that we have sinned against a Holy God. Adam was more aware of his nakedness, than the fact he had disobeyed the Lord God. Adam seemed more concerned with the consequences of what he had done, than with the sin he had committed. Sin seeks a refuge in hiding, in evasion, in half truths, lying, and deceit. Our flesh wants to sin, and do those things which are pleasing to our worldly nature, but we don’t want to pay the price for what we do. Why should Adam and the woman have been afraid when they were naked? Their nakedness revealed their transgression. We need to understand, IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT-Heb 9:27. By hiding, did they think they would somehow escape the judgment of God? Did they think God would not find them and that He would just go away and forget that they had sinned? Did they think that God had forgotten the words He had spoken? Satan puts in the minds of many people today that they will never be called to the judgment and that it will all turn out all right. Remember, there is a battle going on in our thoughts, between the TRUTH of God’s Word and the deceiving lies and half truths of the devil.

AND THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION, THAT LIGHT (Jesus) IS COME INTO THE WORLD, AND MEN "LOVED" DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, "BECAUSE" THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL. FOR EVERY ONE THAT '"DOETH" EVIL HATETH THE LIGHT (Jesus), NEITHER COMETH TO THE LIGHT (to Jesus), LEST HIS DEEDS (what he does) SHOULD BE REPROVED. (The person that does evil will not come to Jesus, for fear that what he does will be exposed and made known). BUT HE THAT DOETH TRUTH COMETH TO THE LIGHT, THAT HIS DEEDS MAY BE MADE MANIFEST (or made known or plainly seen), THAT THEY ARE WROUGHT IN GOD-Jn 3:19-21. Adam and the woman hid. They were afraid.

    Adam should have run to God and confessed his sin and sought for mercy, but he did not. He made an excuse. He blamed the woman. How hard it is for man to be open and transparent and blame no one, but himself.
   The woman blamed the serpent.
   The end result is that God kept His Word. He pronounced judgment.
   Billions of graves attest that God’s Word is true.

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AND TEMPTATION—WILDERNESS SERMON